There are increased demands on surface quality whether in the furniture industry or in the sheet metal sector. Conventional steel conveyor rollers often lead to scratching on steel, wood or glass surfaces and can increase scrap rates.

Scrap due to surface damage – how high is the percentage loss in your company?

Often everything possible is done to optimize the production process. The aim is to reduce scrap rates. The search for the causes of surface damage often lands up in the area of internal storage and handling.

Roller conveyor lines with either rubber or steel rollers can be found in almost all industrial sectors. End users know too well the problems a solid roller surface can cause. The Mink conveyor rollers combine many advantages in one and help to reduce damage.

When you compare the surface characteristics of conventional rollers with a brush roller you can see clearly that swarf and other debris can fall amongst the bristles without sticking to the surface, causing the goods being conveyed to be scratched.

Reduction of noise to a minimum is a further advantage of the bristled conveyor roller. The working environment can be improved considerably, for example in areas where heavy steel profiles are being transported.

Other health and safety improvements can be achieved as the flexible bristles reduce the risk of finger traps between rollers.

If products are being stacked conveyor brush rollers suit this application well. As the flexible bristle tips glide under goods there is no damage or marking caused.

The power required to drive brush rollers can also be reduced as friction caused by the bristle tips is much less than that with a solid roller in plastic or steel. Light plastic bearings can also be used.

In most cases the existing shaft construction can be used for the brush conveyor rollers which are simply pushed on.

The application in question will affect the design of your brush roller. For example to avoid static build-up natural bristles can be used. For light goods small diameter bristles are used and for heavy goods large diameter bristles are used. Through varying the brush area a flange can be created and with a spiral bristle pattern goods can be sent in a particular direction.

Mink conveyor brush rollers are often an alternative with additional advantages.

August Mink KG was founded in 1845 and started out as a small brush manufacturer. Mink was later appointed approved supplier to the court of the King of Württemberg. After the company buildings were destroyed during a bombing raid in 1945, the company made a new start in 1948 in Uhingen. In 1975, the current Managing Director, Peter Zimmermann, made an important decision: specialisation in high-quality industrial brushes using a bristle tuft system, where bristle bundles are punched into a carrier and fastened with wire.

The company has experienced continuous growth under his management. In 1980, the company relocated its headquarters to Göppingen. Since then the production site and offices have experienced a continual expansion. In 2003, Mink established its own major plastic injection moulding facility. In 2005 the new Plant III was opened - an ultra modern centre for development and production, which doubled in size during 2006. Another highlight was the completion of the brand new factory in 2008 for panel brushes with a production area of 2,800 square metres. Mink Brushes has 300 employees, 12% of which are apprentices, and is the world’s largest manufacturer of technical brushes and a market leader in bristle tuft technology.

What qualities make technical brushes such an attractive and versatile tool? The bristles are highly flexible and adaptable as well as temperature resistant. Brushes can be used to remove static, protect sensitive surfaces, reduce noise or for filtering and even spreading glue and liquids. Other application areas for Mink brushes include cleaning, stretching, dusting, detangling, coating, conveying, cushioning, de-burring, guiding and sealing or even as a design feature. A variety of bristle heights and materials are available to suit different applications. The range of materials includes nylon bristles as well as goat hair and ostrich feathers or wire for de-burring brushes. Tampico fibres, made from Mexican agaves, are used for higher temperature applications.

The range of possible brush applications is just as impressive as the range of materials. For example, sensitive surfaces are protected and supported by the Mink Care System. Stillages fitted with Mink brushes protect window frames from scratches and reduce scrap. Mink strip brushes are used as a seal on doors and gates to prevent draughts, dirt or odour. A more recent development is the involvement of Mink brushes in the design sector, in addition to the many applications in machine tool and industrial plant construction. Numerous design projects have already been implemented in the public and private sector, such as a bristle wall in the Daimler-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.Close cooperation with customers plays an important role in the success of Mink Brushes. To ensure easy communication with a large European customer base, Mink is represented by subsidiaries located in France, Italy, England, Denmark and the Netherlands. The traditional machine manufacturer often knows little about technical brushes. This is where Mink has done excellent pioneer work. Technical brushes are an innovative alternative to conventional solutions and help manufacturers continuously improve their design and processes. Mink provides bespoke solutions tailored to customer needs. Through years of experience with specific applications, Mink has developed a broad range of standard articles which can be turned around very quickly. Please do not hesitate to contact us – we will do everything to deliver a suitable solution for your application! This is in line with our motto - „we are not just your supplier, we are your business partner!“